5% LOCAL COALITION
Membership Agreement VisionWe envision a West Contra Costa County in which everyone has access to nutritious, affordable, and delicious food produced in a way that is environmentally sound and socially equitable. We envision a community where people play an active role in shaping a healthy food system from seed to table and back to soil. We envision a community which actively commits a significant portion of its time, land, and resources tending to and improving its own foodshed. We envision a community which produces 5% of its own food supply. Statement of PurposeThrough direct foodshed development, a grower’s cooperative, community-building, education, and advocacy, the 5% Local Coalition strives to develop the capacity of West Contra Costa County to produce 5% of its own food supply. By working to achieve this goal, we plan to create a more just, sustainable, and healthy community. GoalsFoodshed Development•Provide logistical support, volunteers, networking, grants, plant materials, and information to foodshed development projects in West Contra Costa County. The majority of our support will go to projects which directly improve the local supply of fresh, organic produce in neighborhoods with the least access to healthy, nutritious foods and the highest rates of diet-related health conditions. •Help create edible backyard corridors in residential neighborhoods. •Help create community farms at which residents can trade work for fresh produce.•Help create school and community farms, orchards, and berry patches. Education •Create a forum for engaged communication and co-learning among a diverse group of individuals and organizations working to achieve an environmentally sound, socially just, economically viable local foodshed. •Educate government agencies, schools, and other institutions and the broader West Contra Costa County public about food system issues and the benefits and techniques of local food production. Advocacy •Research, develop, and advocate for local policy initiatives that 1) create a local public funding stream for foodshed development activities; (2) incorporate food production activities into existing local institutions such as schools, churches, recreation programs, and health care agencies. Community Building •Provide a forum for all residents of West Contra Costa County to work together to tangibly improve our community and our food system. •Encourage diverse community representation and participation in the 5% Local Coalition as well as in the broader sustainable food movement. •Work to preserve the food and plant knowledge and traditions of our elders while developing skills, knowledge, and awareness of our youth. Growers Cooperative•Help small-scale West County growers pool resources to lower individual production and marketing costs. •Develop a network of buyers and markets and alternative marketing arrangements (bartering, work/trade, co-ops) for West County produce. Guiding Principles1. Active participation – Members actively participate by sharing opinions and experiences. 2. Shared responsibility and decision-making – Members take ownership through their participation and are responsible to the whole group. Every effort is made to include all Coalition members in decision-making processes. Decisions are made by those who participate. Activities are conducted in a manner that is consistent and timely with decisions made by the Coalition. 3. Transparency – The Coalition and its working groups operate in a way that is open and responsible, providing notice and information before, during, and after each meeting. 4. Synergy – Members build on the assets of the Coalition for the greater good. Members use the network to build synergy and enhance the work of each individual and organization. 5. Open and positive engagement – Members welcome debate on issues and approach advocacy for improved learning and community development in constructive, non-adversarial ways. Members listen and consider the opinions of others, honor the work done by others, and treat everyone in a dignified manner. Non-members are welcome to participate in Coalition meetings and events. 6. Recognition of achievement and progress – Members honor and celebrate Coalition milestones and achievements and support decisions made by the group. Members follow through on agreements and action items. Membership AgreementI am committed to the Vision, Goals and Guiding Principles outlined above and agree to participate in one or more of the activities listed below (check one or more):•Attend Coalition meetings and/or work days____ •Host Coalition meetings and/or workdays ____
•Speak on behalf of the Coalition at relevant hearings and meetings held by policymakers ____ •Co-host foodshed development days____ •Purchase produce from West County growers____
•Prepare food for foodshed development days or meetings ____•Contribute food from my/my organization’s garden in West Contra Costa County _____•Add my garden to the West County Foodshed database and contribute monthly yield information___ •Help propagate annual or perennial vegetables, berries, or trees at my home to donate to foodshed development projects in West Contra Costa County____•Contribute to the newsletters of the Coalition ____ •Translate Coalition flyers or newsletters into Spanish or other local languages _____ Name: _____________________________________________________________ Organization representing (if any):_________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________ Fax: __________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ How do you prefer to be contacted? (please circle one) Email phone no preference Which language do you prefer to read? (please circle one) English Spanish Other:________ Signature__________________________ Date ________________________________
